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EU Transport and Mobility Strategy
MOBILITY & TRANSPORT
The European Union is building a modern, sustainable, and connected transport system to strengthen the single market and achieve its climate neutrality objectives. Through a comprehensive and evolving strategy, the EU aims to ensure safe, efficient, and green mobility for people and goods across all Member States.
This strategy is shaped by several legislative packages, investments, and digital innovation initiatives.
This strategy is shaped by several legislative packages, investments, and digital innovation initiatives.
The EU Strategy for Sustainable and Smart Mobility
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The EU's current transport strategy is outlined in the Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy, launched in December 2020. It defines a roadmap to make European transport:
- Sustainable, by cutting emissions and supporting the shift to cleaner transport modes;
- Smart, by using digitalization and innovation to improve efficiency;
- Resilient, by ensuring mobility systems can adapt to future crises and shocks
The European Commission's Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy is a forward-thinking blueprint aiming to revolutionize the EU's transport systems into entities that are not only greener and more digital but also resilient. This strategy is encapsulated in an Action Plan comprising 82 initiatives set to be rolled out over the next 4 years. The ambition is bold: a 90% cut in emissions by 2050, with a focus on ensuring transport that is sustainable, smart, competitive, safe, accessible, and affordable.
EU Goals
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The EU Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy aims to transform EU transport systems into green, digital, and resilient networks.
The strategy includes an Action Plan with 82 initiatives to be implemented over four years. It targets a 90% reduction in emissions by 2050, focusing on sustainable, smart, competitive, safe, accessible, and affordable transport.
Key milestones include 30 million zero-emission cars by 2030, doubling high-speed rail traffic, and achieving carbon-neutral urban travel under 500 km.
By 2050, most vehicles and new heavy-duty vehicles will be zero-emission, and rail freight traffic will double. The strategy focuses on sustainable practices, innovative digitalization, and resilience, especially post-COVID-19.
Commission Staff Working Document
The strategy includes an Action Plan with 82 initiatives to be implemented over four years. It targets a 90% reduction in emissions by 2050, focusing on sustainable, smart, competitive, safe, accessible, and affordable transport.
Key milestones include 30 million zero-emission cars by 2030, doubling high-speed rail traffic, and achieving carbon-neutral urban travel under 500 km.
By 2050, most vehicles and new heavy-duty vehicles will be zero-emission, and rail freight traffic will double. The strategy focuses on sustainable practices, innovative digitalization, and resilience, especially post-COVID-19.
Commission Staff Working Document
Time Objectives
The EU milestones include:
By 2030:
By 2035:
By 2050:
By 2030:
- At least 30 million zero-emission cars operating on European roads.
- Achievement of climate neutrality in 100 European cities.
- A doubling of high-speed rail traffic across Europe.
- Carbon-neutral status for scheduled collective travel for journeys under 500 km.
- Large-scale deployment of automated mobility.
- Market readiness of zero-emission marine vessels.
By 2035:
- Introduction of market-ready zero-emission large aircraft.
By 2050:
- Nearly all cars, vans, buses, and new heavy-duty vehicles will be zero-emission.
- A doubling of rail freight traffic.
- Full operational status of a multimodal Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T), facilitating sustainable and smart transport with high-speed connectivity.
These targets reflect a comprehensive approach to transforming European transport into a system that is not only environmentally friendly but also efficient and technologically advanced, catering to the needs of a modern, interconnected Europe.
EU actions
The European Commission's Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy outlines 82 initiatives across 10 key areas to transform the transport sector.
These areas, referred to as "flagships," include concrete measures for sustainable, smart, and resilient transport:
Sustainable Transport:
Smart Transport:
Resilient Transport:
These initiatives represent a holistic approach to creating a transport system that is environmentally friendly, technologically advanced, inclusive, and resilient to future challenges.
These areas, referred to as "flagships," include concrete measures for sustainable, smart, and resilient transport:
Sustainable Transport:
- Zero-Emission Vehicles: Boosting the use of zero-emission cars, vessels, and airplanes, along with renewable and low-carbon fuels. This includes installing 3 million public charging points by 2030.
- Zero-Emission Airports and Ports: Promoting sustainable aviation and maritime fuels to create emission-free airports and ports.
- Healthy and Sustainable Urban Mobility: Doubling high-speed rail traffic and expanding cycling infrastructure over the next decade.
- Sustainable Freight Transport: Aiming to double rail freight traffic by 2050.
- Carbon Pricing and User Incentives: Implementing measures for fair and efficient pricing across all transport modes.
Smart Transport:
- Connected and Automated Multimodal Mobility: Facilitating the integration of different transport modes, allowing seamless travel and freight transitions.
- Innovation and Digitalization: Boosting the use of data, AI, drones, and unmanned aircraft, and building a European Common Mobility Data Space.
Resilient Transport:
- Reinforcing the Single Market: Strengthening efforts to complete the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) by 2030 and supporting sector modernization with increased public and private investments.
- Equitable and Accessible Mobility: Ensuring mobility is affordable and accessible in all regions for all passengers, including those with reduced mobility.
- Enhancing Safety and Security: Improving transport safety and security with the goal of significantly reducing the death toll by 2050.
These initiatives represent a holistic approach to creating a transport system that is environmentally friendly, technologically advanced, inclusive, and resilient to future challenges.
Initiatives for Passengers and Travellers
On 29 November 2023, the Commission adopted a series of proposals aimed at bolstering passenger rights and offering better information services. Rooted in the experiences of the COVID-19 crisis and significant industry shake-ups like the Thomas Cook bankruptcy, these reforms are set to redefine the travel landscape, emphasizing protection, clarity, and accessibility for all travelers, particularly during cancellations and multimodal journeys.
Key Highlights of the Proposals:
1. Elevating Passenger Rights
The EU, renowned for its robust passenger rights across air, rail, ship, and bus travel, is taking steps to address existing gaps and enforce these rights more effectively. Noteworthy enhancements include:
2. Reinforced Protection for Package Travellers
The revamped Package Travel Directive aims to provide stronger, clearer rights for travelers, especially during crises. Key improvements include:
3. Advancements in Multimodal Travel Information Services
In line with reducing transport emissions, the revised Delegated Regulation on EU-wide multimodal travel information services (MMTIS) is set to offer real-time, comprehensive travel information. This includes updates on delays, cancellations, and accessibility features, enhancing the travel experience for all, including passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility.
Additionally, the establishment of a common European mobility data space (EMDS) signifies a monumental leap towards integrating and sharing transport and mobility data. This initiative, backed by the Connecting Europe Facility and the Digital Europe Programme, promises real-time data access and sharing, fostering innovative transport services and data-driven policy-making.
By bridging the gap between strategy and implementation, these initiatives not only aim to transform the infrastructure but also to enrich the quality and accessibility of journeys, paving the way for a more connected, informed, and inclusive travel ecosystem in the EU.
Key Highlights of the Proposals:
1. Elevating Passenger Rights
The EU, renowned for its robust passenger rights across air, rail, ship, and bus travel, is taking steps to address existing gaps and enforce these rights more effectively. Noteworthy enhancements include:
- Stronger Enforcement and Clarity: Strengthened mechanisms to ensure passengers fully benefit from their rights, with specific focus on issues like reimbursements for flights booked through intermediaries.
- Protection in Multimodal Journeys: First-time rules safeguarding passengers using different transport modes in a single trip, offering better pre-travel and in-transit information, and ensuring assistance in case of missed connections.
- Focused Attention on Disability and Reduced Mobility Needs: Enhanced support at connecting points and free travel for accompanying persons if required for compliance with safety regulations.
2. Reinforced Protection for Package Travellers
The revamped Package Travel Directive aims to provide stronger, clearer rights for travelers, especially during crises. Key improvements include:
- Prompt Refunds: A streamlined refund process ensuring travelers are reimbursed within 14 days.
- Fair Downpayments and Payment Terms: Caps on downpayments and clear guidelines on the full payment timeline.
- Transparent Voucher Systems: Clear options between refunds and vouchers, with automatic refunds for unused vouchers and robust insolvency protection.
3. Advancements in Multimodal Travel Information Services
In line with reducing transport emissions, the revised Delegated Regulation on EU-wide multimodal travel information services (MMTIS) is set to offer real-time, comprehensive travel information. This includes updates on delays, cancellations, and accessibility features, enhancing the travel experience for all, including passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility.
Additionally, the establishment of a common European mobility data space (EMDS) signifies a monumental leap towards integrating and sharing transport and mobility data. This initiative, backed by the Connecting Europe Facility and the Digital Europe Programme, promises real-time data access and sharing, fostering innovative transport services and data-driven policy-making.
By bridging the gap between strategy and implementation, these initiatives not only aim to transform the infrastructure but also to enrich the quality and accessibility of journeys, paving the way for a more connected, informed, and inclusive travel ecosystem in the EU.
Key Legislative Packages
Mobility Package I - Aims to improve drivers’ working conditions, fair competition, and effective enforcement in road transport.
Mobility Package I Summary
- Posting of drivers: Directive (EU) 2020/1057
- Driving and rest times: Regulation (EU) 2020/1054
- Cabotage rules and market access: Overview
- Enforcement support: TRACE 2 Training Materials
- Tachograph use: Regulation (EU) No 165/2014
Mobility Package I Summary
